INDIAN EXPRESS DATED 28th SEP 2026.

Summary of Important News Items Editorials-475

INDIAN EXPRESS DATED 28th SEP 2026.

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1. UP Sugar Crisis — Red Rot Disease and the Search for a New Cane Variety

Uttar Pradesh, India's largest sugarcane-growing state, has seen sugar production fall sharply from 126.4 lakh tonnes in 2019-20 to 89.5 lakh tonnes in 2025-26. The principal problem is the vulnerability of the once-dominant Co-0238 (Karan 4) sugarcane variety to red rot, caused by the fungus Colletotrichum falcatum. Intensive monoculture helped a more virulent pathotype emerge, demonstrating the danger of excessive dependence on a single crop variety. A new ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute variety, Co-20016 (Karan 20), has shown higher yields, slightly higher sucrose content and resistance to the virulent CF13 pathotype in trials. ie-delhi-28-09-2026 Logic: genetic uniformity can increase agricultural vulnerability even when a variety initially delivers high productivity. Stand/Gist: agricultural productivity must be combined with varietal diversity, disease surveillance, scientific breeding and responsible cultivation. The episode is an important lesson in climate-resilient and biologically resilient agriculture.

2. India–Canada Relations — From Diplomatic Crisis to Trade-Led Reset

India and Canada are signalling a significant improvement in bilateral relations. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand discussed taking ties to a “higher level”, while Canada emphasised renewed partnerships with major economies such as India and China. ie-delhi-28-09-2026 The two countries are working towards a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), with an ambition to expand bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030. The development follows the severe deterioration in ties beginning in 2023 over allegations concerning the killing of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar, allegations linking Indian government agents that India rejected. Logic: both countries have incentives to diversify trade, strengthen strategic autonomy and rebuild economic engagement amid wider global tariff and geopolitical pressures. Stand/Gist: diplomatic disagreements need not permanently foreclose cooperation. A durable reset, however, requires mutual confidence, security cooperation and predictable diplomatic engagement alongside trade negotiations.

3. Citizenship and the Election Commission — Former SC Judge Raises Institutional Question